Jan 17, 2022 | HISTORY, NEWS
Decision to do missionary work
At the General Chapter of 1963, the Polish sisters suggested that the missionary idea be given more prominence in the congregation. The topic was discussed in detail and offers from Africa and Brazil had already been received. However, the sisters were warned from various quarters against hasty deployment in an unfamiliar culture and pointed out the importance of good training and preparation. For the time being, therefore, they only included the missionary concern in the new version of the constitutions. They did not see this as a new field of work, but wanted to continue the original task of their founder, to take care of women and girls as well as people in need in the mission. The next general chapter in 1969 took up this concern again and made the decision to send sisters to Africa.
Tanzania
Three years later, sisters from the three Polish provinces began missionary work in Tanzania. The first station in Kilimarondo, which opened in 1972 and closed again after almost 20 years, was followed by two more in Nanjota and Chikukwe, which still exist today. In 1990 the congregation opened a novitiate, from which 15 African professed sisters emerged by 1998. In 1988, it obtained state registration, which enabled it to own the land and houses of its branches in Nanjota and Chikukwe.
Dioceses
The branches of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate were in different dioceses. When they were founded, the first two stations in Kilimarondo and Nanjota belonged to the Nachingwea diocese, of which the Salvatorian Father Arnold Cotey was bishop. In February 1984, Polykarp Pengo became the first local bishop to take over the Nachingwea diocese. He was ordained bishop on January 6, 1984 in St. Peter’s Basilica by Pope John Paul II. During his stay in Rome he also visited the Generalate and asked for more Sisters of Mary to be sent to Tanzania. He pointed out that the problem of young women in Africa was a burning one.
In the mid-1980s, the dioceses in Tanzania were reorganized, and the Nachingwea diocese was dissolved. Kilimarondo now belonged to the diocese of Lindi, led by Bishop Maurus Libaba and since 1991 Bishop Bruno Ngonyani. Nanjota and Chikukwe belonged to the diocese of Tunduru-Masasi, which Bishop Pengo took over. In 1992 Pengo became Archbishop of Dar es Salaam and in 1998 Cardinal. Since 1992, Bishop Magnus Mwalunyungu had been the new head of his former diocese of Tunduru-Masasi.
Regional superiors
In order to represent the common concerns of the branches in Tanzania vis-à-vis the church and state authorities and to maintain contact with the general administration in Rome, a regional superior was required.
On December 8, 1990, Sister M. Viannea Parchatko was appointed Regional Superior. On July 1, 1997, after returning to Poland, Sister M. Vianneya Rogowska took over this position.
(Johannes Mertens, “Geschichte der Kongregation der Marienschwestern von der Unbefleckten Empfängnis“, Volume 2, pp. 622-624)
Jan 13, 2022 | NEWS
One day, Sr. Małgorzata Cur from the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate from Brzezie called me.
She expressed her desire for a picture of the handmaid of God, Sr. Dulcissima, to be created, because only a few photos are preserved, and only on some of them Sr. Dulcissima is in her monastic habit. The photos were of very poor quality, but I figured I had painted various portraits so many times that I wouldn’t have a problem with that either. I know that preparing a portrait of saints or blessed is a deep, spiritual adventure and an invitation to an exceptional friendship. Painting is also a spiritual journey into oneself. This was also the case with the work on the portraits of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński or Blessed Chiara Luce Badano.
Together with Małgorzata, we chose one photo, which was supposed to be a model for painting the portrait.
As always, I started my work by making a drawing, a sketch that I had to stick to when painting.
However, problems have already started here. The photo showed a dozen of sisters standing in one shot and despite the large magnification, it was very blurry … The faces were illegible and even blurry … the religious habits were visible only in the general outline.
I was wondering how to work on something like this? After all, it’s impossible to take a portrait of the person I see in a fog. I did not want to be discouraged at the very beginning, I tried to continue drawing … In the meantime, Sister Małgorzata sent me pictures of sisters in religious habit from those times, so that I could better see the details of the veil, habit and their elements …
However, my priority was the eyes. It’s just that the eyes were in the shadow in the photo and in addition all the photos were of course black and white … I started to get nervous …
At the beginning of my contact with my sister, it seemed to me that it was a problem to make another portrait, now I had a problem, and a serious one. The work went on, but it was very slow and not very effective. I rescued myself with other photos of Sister Dulcissima, taken before she entered the congregation. Some of Helena Hoffmann’s photos were a bit clearer and the eyes could be seen better. However, I know that the gaze changes with human maturity, especially spiritual … and with suffering that ennobles the soul. After all, the eyes are the mirror of the soul. I wanted to get to know God’s handmaid better. It was a turning point. I started reading materials about Sister Dulcissima and … I asked her to let me paint herself and to help me with that …
The portrait was almost ready … I took two steps back and … I was sad to see that the nun I painted is not Helena Hoffmann, she is not Sister Maria Dulcissima … I was helpless …
What was there to be done?
Desperate, I asked Sister Małgorzata to pray.
The sisters prayed and even ordered a mass. for the personal painter Sr. Dulcissima – that’s what Sr. Małgorzata called me.
Personal?
It was the first time that I had tears of emotion … I felt that I was undergoing some inner cleansing and that Sr. Dulcissima became very close to me …
I started working on the face of God’s servant all over again. Then I had an impression, which turned into such a conviction that all the time Sister Dulcissima kept her hand on mine and helped me paint herself.
It was an experience I had never had before. It was liberating from the artist’s own ego, who first and foremost trusts in his artistic abilities … and here we had to trust the intercession of the one whose beatification process is underway …
I painted the canvas white and made a sketch with a brush again … It was a brave and risky move … but it paid off … The canvas was very vivid, although it is only a sketch of a portrait of Dulcissima’s sister. And it is surprising that already in this sketch – the eyes appeared alive! I breathed a sigh of relief and gratitude.
The work was progressing smoothly …
The portrait was completed just before Christmas.
This experience helped me understand how powerful the intercession of the saints is, especially in times that are humanly hopeless. Sr. Maria Dulcissima helped me paint herself and I feel honored by this fact. She is not only a candidate for altars, whom I am asking for various intentions but she is also a holy companion of ordinary and extraordinary matters in which I adore the Love of God for us, expressed every day in many ways. Sister Dulcissima – please pray for us!
Tomasz Wachowicz
Trzcianka, 02/01/2022
Dec 24, 2021 | NEWS
The real happiness we are looking for
It is usually different than we imagine it.
It is a mystery that transcends
Human imaginations.
[Fr. Jan Twardowski]
Behold, the King of the universe was born in a poor stable.
God came to earth as a helpless child.
Power manifested in weakness.
May the mystery of Christmas bring us certainty
That God is born wherever there are our worries, poverty and anxiety.
Where in a difficult situation we can trust Him without any conditions.
May he be born in our hearts!
Mary Immaculate Sisters
Dec 15, 2021 | NEWS
Before the year comes to an end, I would like to share about a very special day in November 2021.
As in every of our other houses, there is also a bell here on the Klosterberg that rings for the Angelus and not only reminds us to pray here, but also all the people who live, work or relax here in Cochem
Since our old bell was already 100 years old – it cracked and so it only rattled.
Almost two years ago this situation was addressed, checked and then it was planned that we could buy a new bell.
Months and weeks passed due to the Corona situation – we didn’t hear anything from our bell.
When our provincial superior visited us in the summer, I raised this issue again and she took our concerns with me to the meetings in Berlin.
Soon the information came – that the order for a new bell had been given to the bell foundry in Brockscheid in the Eifel.
Since the planning was already completed almost two years ago – it didn’t take long before we received the information that the bell would be cast on October 14, 2021. Brockscheid is only 39 km away from Cochem and so we could, i.e. two employees and I be there during the casting.
None of us had never had the opportunity to be part of this before.
Everything was well prepared and work could begin.
The whole family was integrated. The senior boss attached great importance to the fact that before the work started – we pray together so that this work of art succeeds.
It was a challenge for everyone to pour the material, heated to 170 degrees, into the special mold.
In doing so, I noticed how much one was dependent on the other to look and react. The well-rehearsed team faced this challenge with flying colors.
The work was done in a few minutes and we drove home with new experiences and enthusiasm with a good feeling.
The bell then had to rest for a certain time.
A good two weeks passed before the bell was brought to us.
We had time to plan the consecration of the bells but until the consecration of the bells, we first placed them in our refectory.
After a good planning with the facility manager, we set the date of the consecration for November 9th.
Brother Michael (Franciscan of the Holy Cross) a friend of our convent and the house saw it as a great honor – to consecrate our bell. Yes, this special day also fell at the time when our Superior General Sister Sybilla and Vicar Sister Petra visited the convent on the Moselle. So, they could also experience this happening – also our co-sisters from Treis Karden.
Of course, our residents also took part.
The mayor of the association, Mr. Lambertz, and our city mayor, Mr. Schmitz, were also happy to accept our invitation.
Also, the senior boss from the bell foundry, Mr. Schmitt came, he explained to us all the tones that the bell will ring.
He himself has participated in many bell consecrations – but it was such a great experience for himself – because the bishop was present at all the other bells consecrations, -but as with us, visitors from Rome – he has never experienced that in his past working years
On that day there were wonderful encounters that everyone will remember for a long time.
Not only we but – also the people of Cochem enjoy the beautiful bells – which can be heard from the Klosterberg to all over the city.
Long may it now sound to the glory of God and to the joy of people.
God gave me joy!
See! Like a golden star
out of the sleeve, bare and flat,
the metal core peels off
From the helmet to the wreath
it plays like the shine of the sun
also, the coat of arms nice shields
praise the experienced pictures.
(Text from the bell by Friedrich Schiller)
Sister M. Felicitas
Dec 15, 2021 | NEWS
The Lord Jesus turned to two true brothers: Peter and Andrew at the Lake of Gennesaret. Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. And they followed him and fulfilled their calling to the end
The Servant of God, Fr. John as a vicar, chaplain of female youth, founder of a charity foundation for morally endangered girls and women, founder of the religious Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, handed over organizational matters to Sister Matylda, chosen by the religious community, and he himself supervised the spiritual development of the sisters. He did not accept candidates who were not able to be guided in their lives by generosity, humility and merciful love to the new religious family.
Father John Schneider had serious health problems from his youth. On the eve of the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle in the year 1876, his health deteriorated. He knew it. He asked for the Anointing of the Sick to be administered to him. On December 7, all the sisters gathered at the bedside of the Founder and wept bitterly. Father John spoke the last words to them: I bless you with all my heart. I will always be there for you. Strive for unity. Sister Matylda, let Sister take care of the maintenance of the Institution. At 2 p.m. while the church bells were ringing, inviting the faithful to the first vespers of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at that time the Servant of God, Father John Schneider, departed to the Father’s house. It happened on Thursday, the day dedicated to the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
The funeral took place on Monday, December 11, 1876. Holy Mass was celebrated by a friend and founder of the Jadwiżanki Sisters, Father Robert Spiske. The preacher was the parish priest of Saint Michael, father Gustaw Haucke. About our founding father, he said: “What he boldly planned and began in the Name of God in 1854, he did it at the cost of unspeakable sacrifices, torments and worries. And here look – since 1858 the Foundation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is ready, equipped with state rights. Who is able to count the blessings that this godly work has already brought? Who can measure the yield that he will produce someday in heaven? At present, the foundation has 9 sisters and 45 rooms for the sick and unemployed girls. For this house, John was everything: the founder, manager and protector. He made his way to this house almost every day. His worries and struggles were for this home. He looked for a respite in it and found it there. (J.Scchweter, History of the Congregation …, vol. 1 pp. 108-109)
And further in the sermon he addressed directly to the deceased: May the Advent call be fulfilled for your soul now, Behold, the Lord is coming, who will repay you! You will be followed by tears of gratitude and prayers of your parish, your relatives and those under your care. There will be a memento to your brothers who have decided to once again stand firm and faithfully in their positions in these very serious and hard times, your good deeds and merits will follow, for which our Lord and Judge Jesus Christ will reward you with joy and happiness in heaven (J. Scchweter, History of the Congregation …, vol. 1 p. 109)
The huge crowd went deeply excited, escorting their shepherd to the Osobowice cemetery.
All priests who knew the late Father John Schneider, were of the opinion that he was the pride of the priests in Silesia because of his extraordinary zeal, extraordinary willpower and deep inner life. (J. Scchweter, History of the Congregation …, vol. 1 p. 109)
On the first Friday of December 1944, the mortal remains of our Founder were transferred to the cemetery of St. Lawrence and laid among the tombs of his Sisters of Mary Immaculate.
Does the Advent call “Here the Lord God is coming” shape the interior of my heart today, now?
S.M. Elżbieta Cińcio
Dec 14, 2021 | FORUM, NEWS
For me, the sunflower expresses an image of growing old. The heavy heads of the flowers are full of fruit. They don’t do anything anymore. They simply expose themselves to the sun and ripen until they are harvested and become a food source for others. All beauty is gone. So, it is like what I am, an old person. I don’t have to do anything anymore; I don’t have to gain recognition through performance. I am just there.
When I consider my current situation, my current life is shaped by three main areas:
To let go
To accept
and the desire to bear fruit.
I would like to place letting go under the scripture Jn 21:18: “Amen, amen, I say to you: when you were still young, you girded yourself and could go wherever you wanted. But when you get old you will stretch out your hands and someone else will strap you and lead you where you don’t want to go. “
I have to let go of my ideas about life and get involved with what God expects me to do. He is kind and allows me to do it in installments. First the activity, my own will, my own self and then letting go of life: This is a process that is sometimes painful and relates to different areas.
Letting go of health
I am supposed to take care of my health, but with moderation. When I am constantly worried about my health, I am constantly plagued by fears that I will lose it.
Letting go of relationships
Relationships decrease with age and I have to learn more and more to be alone. If I lose a dear, trusted person through death or moving, it is painful and a long process of mourning will follow, which goes through different phases.
Letting go of possession
In death I have to let go of everything and that is why I am well advised to practice it now, in which I part with a lot, give it away. This can lead to small relationships again.
Letting go of positions and power
For me it was a deep turning point when I was no longer informed or asked. By being more active, I whitewash these losses to show that I
still have everything under control. But the more the old man holds on to his position, the more enemies he creates and rebellion and catastrophe can occur. If this process is endured, he leads into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
Letting go of life
For me, death is the end of life here on earth and at the same time the passage and beginning of life in the glory of God.
Dying is not only the end of my life but has always been present in my life story. In every rejection, disappointment, helplessness, feeling of powerlessness, frailty, experience of illness, I experience letting go and dying.
It is helpful for me to meditate on the cross and Jesus’ passion, as HE accepted death. Just as the death of Jesus was the way into God’s glory, so will my way to God only go through death.
I have certain ideas about dying for myself, but it is out of my hands. I also have to let go of that and accept death as it was given to me by God.
Accept
Age comes by itself. If it is to succeed, I have to unconditionally accept my life story and deal with my past, i.e. place my life with all the positives and negatives in the mercy of God and trust that God has accepted it.
I have to learn to accept my own limits: helplessness, powerlessness, weakness, fatigue, disabilities, loneliness, illness, forgetfulness and much more. I remembered the scripture, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Helps me to accept my limits, is the awareness that God surrounds and carries me with his healing, loving closeness and that in death he surrounds me with his loving arms.
I would like to place the third point, the desire to bear fruit, under Psalm 92: 13-15: “The righteous thrive like the palm tree, he grows like the cedars of Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age and remain full of juice and full of freshness.
According to this, there must be two prerequisites in order to still bear fruit in old age: righteousness and planted in the house of the Lord.
Just is the person who meets people with their needs. The righteous not only revolve around themselves, but also always keep the others in view.
Those who are rooted in God bear fruit. It is nice when my slowdown turns into patience and serenity. When I learn to wait and listen in solitude, the relationship with my God is deepened. At my age I don’t have to prove anything to myself, let myself be determined by people’s expectations or compare myself with others. In this way I achieve a deep inner freedom.
I experience myself in the field of tension between letting go and acceptance. Sometimes one thing works and sometimes the other is better. For me, old age is a process that I want to get involved in again and again. I ask God that he will give me a listening, thankful heart and let me become a blessing for others.
Sr. M. Mathildis
Prayer of St. Teresa
(1515 – 1582)
Lord, you know better than I do that day by day I will be older and one day old. Release me from the great passion of trying to get the affairs of others in order. Teach me to be thoughtful and helpful, but not dominant.
Save me from endlessly listing details and give me momentum to get to the heart of the matter.
Teach me to be silent about my illnesses and complaints. They are increasing and the desire to describe them grows from year to year.
I do not plead the gift of listening to other people’s descriptions of illnesses with pleasure. But teach me to at least endure it patiently.
Teach me to discover unexpected talents in other people and give me, O Lord, the beautiful gift of mentioning them too.
I don’t dare ask for a better memory – just a little more humility and a little less assertiveness when my memory doesn’t match that of others.
Teach me the wonderful wisdom that I can be mistaken.
Keep me as lovable as possible. I don’t want to be a curmudgeon
but not a saint either, because it is difficult to live with them.
